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Concussion is a colloquial term for concussion. It is the result of a head injury associated with loss of consciousness, headaches, vomiting, and imbalance. After losing consciousness, the patient returns to full fitness. Complications after concussion can generally be short-term or long-term.
What is Concussion?
A concussion is a serious consequence of a head injury, otherwise known as a concussion. Its occurrence is observed in people after a traffic or bicycle accident. People who practice sports intensively are also at risk. Loss of consciousness is characteristic for concussion, after which the patient returns to full fitness. Loss of consciousness occurs due to impaired function of nerve cells, but they are not permanently damaged. More serious trauma is suspected when loss of consciousness lasts longer than 15 minutes and is accompanied by other disturbing symptoms. In order to avoid concussion, first of all, you should be careful in carrying out everyday activities, e.g. when riding a bicycle – wear a protective helmet.
Concussion of the brain – causes
The consequence of a head injury, and the mildest one, is a concussion, caused not so much by damage as by a temporary disturbance of the functioning of nerve cells within the brainstem. Concussion is characterized by a short-term loss of consciousness that can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In addition, it can be accompanied by numerous symptoms:
- amnesia covering a short period immediately before and after the injury,
- headaches,
- nausea and vomiting
- bow,
- irritability, confusion
- balance disorders,
- intolerance of loud sounds and bright light.
These symptoms may persist for several days after the injury, then disappear on their own. The patient should rest during this time, preferably lying down, avoiding long reading, watching TV and intense stimuli (noise, glaring light).
Concussion of the brain – diagnosis
In each patient with loss of consciousness after a head injury, a medical consultation is absolutely recommended, during which the doctor will assess the general and neurological condition of the patient, consider additional tests (e.g. computed tomography of the brain) and assess the indications for hospitalization. During the medical interview, it is very important to answer the following questions: how long did the loss of consciousness last, what the injury looked like, what preparations the patient is taking, is he allergic to something, has he previously suffered a head injury, has undergone any surgery, and does he suffer from bleeding disorders. It is imperative to check whether the injury has resulted in a brain hematoma. During diagnosis, it is also important to determine the patient’s neurological function and to determine if there is any neck injury or nose and ear haemorrhage, as this type of bleeding, accompanied by bruising around the eyes, may indicate a fracture of the skull base. Concussion can be difficult to diagnose as a head injury results in a wound, but the shock itself is a symptom that varies greatly. Sometimes they appear later. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, among the symptoms indicating a concussion are:
- slurred speech
- trouble concentrating,
- dizziness,
- behavior change (awkwardness),
- ringing in the ears.
Considering the symptoms, shock is distinguished:
- light 15st degree – symptoms do not last longer than XNUMX minutes; there is no loss of consciousness,
- moderate 15nd degree – symptoms last longer than XNUMX minutes; there is no loss of consciousness,
- strong XNUMXrd degree – loss of consciousness occurs, although it sometimes only lasts a few seconds.
Important! Concussion in young children can cause symptoms such as vomiting and nausea and pale skin. See a doctor as soon as possible and do not administer any medications on your own.
Concussion treatment
In people who hit a hard surface, but did not lose consciousness – it is necessary to consult a doctor and follow his recommendations. You may find that home treatment is insufficient. An ambulance service should be called if the patient has fallen from a great height, has bleeding and unconscious for more than 2 minutes, or if the patient loses and regains consciousness alternately. The same is true for children who have sustained a head injury and have passed out. If the patient has not regained consciousness after two minutes – do not move him, so as not to damage the spine. If the patient feels the need to vomit, lay him on his side without moving his head.
A patient with a concussion may require a short follow-up in the hospital to rule out more serious potential complications of a head injury in the form of epidural or subdural hematoma or subarachnoid haemorrhage. These complications are life-threatening, but their symptoms sometimes appear only several to several hours after the onset of the craniocerebral injury.
In people after concussion, a relaxed lifestyle is recommended above all, without physical exertion. It is also not recommended to stay in the sun.
Complications of concussion
The symptoms of a concussion mentioned earlier will disappear on their own. This does not mean, however, that medical care for a few days after the shock is irrelevant. In some cases, concussion leads to unpleasant consequences. Such a complication is, among others post-shock syndrome, for which headaches and dizziness as well as problems with memory and concentration are characteristic. The syndrome may last for weeks or even months after the injury. Therefore, if you suffer from a severe headache and other unpleasant ailments – do not delay the visit to the doctor. It may appear in the elderly bleeding into the space between the brain and the dura mater. Post-shock complications are divided into short-term and long-term. Short wave is common in patients who have sustained a severe head injury. These include an unbearable headache that can last from two weeks to several months. On the other hand, long-term complications are characterized by: long-term memory loss, neurological problems and mental disorders.
Can concussion be avoided?
To prevent concussion, the first thing you need to do is exercise caution on a daily basis. If you regularly exercise, be sure to wear protective clothing. The most important thing is the helmet that protects the head while cycling, skiing, inline skating, or practicing other sports that risk injury. People driving a car should remember to fasten their seat belts and stay within the speed limits. It is contraindicated to play sports and drive a car under the influence of alcohol!
WARNING! Each concussion of the brain increases the risk of further shocks in the future. For this reason, it is not advisable to practice contact sports after shock to avoid potential risks.
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